St. Louis Rams vs. Washington Redskins: What I Liked, What I Didn’t Like

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams won their second game in as many weeks, once again shutting out an opponent with a 24-0 win over the Washington Redskins. This gives the team a 6-7 record, with a chance to break .500 on Thursday against Arizona. Such a dominant win naturally leads to many ‘Likes’, but the Rams’ failure to take advantage of their opponents in the first half raises a few ‘Dislikes’. Here we go…

What I Liked…

The Shut-Out            My parents are both in their sixties. They have five grandchildren and have been retired now for a number of years. They were part of the post-War Baby Boom generation and are living a life of relaxation, cruise holidays and daytime television.

I say all this because the last time that the Rams had two consecutive shut-outs – in 1945 – my parents were not even born. That’s how long ago it was. Neither the Fearsome Foursome nor the Greatest Show on Turf eras can lay claim to what Gregg Williams’ defense has achieved over the past two weeks. A crushing defensive line – undoubtedly sparked by the return of Chris Long – has stuffed the running game and made ragdolls of opposing quarterbacks; a strong linebacking corps – with Alec Ogletree suddenly emerging after early-season struggles, coupled with a resurgent James Laurinaitis – has caused no end of problems to offensive co-ordinators; and one of the most talented young secondaries in the League has made big plays and laid resounding hits. This is the defense that everyone was hoping for, a stingy unit that has allowed only one redzone possession in four weeks – and that against Peyton Manning’s Broncos! The two shut-outs are important because they help to impose fear on opposing teams. That this defense is achieving this at such a young age is but a promise of what is yet to come.

Tavon Austin            The most electrifying player on the Rams offense lived up to the potential he has only fleetingly fully realized since being drafted. Austin accounted for over 200 yards, including 48 on the ground, whilst averaging 35 per punt return. Austin is clearly struggling to be a receiving threat, but his increasing workload over the past few weeks reveals Marty Schottenheimer’s growing confidence in using his strongest weapon. Austin’s 78-yard return for a touchdown in the third quarter iced the game and proved how valuable he can be. His contribution comes in other ways too – how many other receivers get open, for example, as a result of defenders keeping a watchful eye on Number 11? Someone just keep giving this guy the ball.

The RG3 Trade        Incredibly, three years after Les Snead’s finest hour, there are still debates going on in the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet about which team got the better of the deal that sent a host of draft picks to St Louis in exchange for the pick that became Robert Griffin. Sunday’s game should have put an end to the discussion. While Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins, Stedman Bailey, Alec Ogletree and Greg Robinson – all by-products of the trade – made significant contributions to the Rams’ win, RG3 was given mop-up duty at the final two-minute warning…shortly after which he was introduced to the juggernaut that is Aaron Donald. While Griffin’s rookie year may have given the Redskins the edge at the time, the Rams used the haul of picks to slowly and patiently assemble a squad that is now starting to deliver on its potential, and there was perhaps no clearer evidence of that than the sight of the Redskins quarterback peeling himself off the turf on only his second snap. And, as if to emphasize the point, Coach Fisher had earlier sent the aforementioned five Rams – plus Zac Stacy – to the coin toss. It is precisely this confidence in his players – as well as his wicked sense of humor – that proves why Fisher is still the best man for this job.

What I Didn’t Like…

Early Offensive Struggles              As happened against Oakland, this party could have been more than over by halftime. The Redskins were struggling, the Rams defense kept getting the offense the ball back, and the floodgates were threatening to open. Quarterback Shaun Hill was moving the ball well, despite not being overly helped by Tre Mason, but, upon approaching the redzone, the drives seemed to stall, either through penalties or poor pass protection. The Rams’ first drive, for example, saw a first-and-ten at the Washington 22-yard line end in a fourth-and-thirty. Similarly, a later first down at the 26 ended in a fourth down punt from the 43. The Rams seemed to be struggling with sealing the deal, but, at least, were getting themselves into field goal position. Which brings me to…

Greg The Leg                        Oh dear. The signs were not good when kicker Greg Zeuerlein missed an extra point, the first miss of his career. This was followed with two field goal misses – a 28-yard attempt (Zeuerlein’s first miss from within thirty yards), and a 38-yard effort. What could have been a 13-0 lead was instead within one Washington score. Luckily, Greg The Leg seemed to shake off his slump with a confidence-restoring 34-yard kick on the first drive of the second half, but it made for a shaky moment that made many in Rams Nation go for the “Here we go again” panic. The defense prevented this, though, and, for that, Zeuerlein owes them a few drinks.